Benzoyl Peroxide To Treat Acne Scars & Dark Spots

Benzoyl peroxide is most commonly used to treat and prevent mild to moderate acne. But can it also be used to treat the remaining acne scars and dark spots?

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Can Benzoyl Peroxide Remove Acne Scars and Dark Spots

Benzoyl Peroxide can gradually help to reduce the appearance of acne scars and dark spots. But how well and how fast will depend on the severity of the scars.

How does benzoyl peroxide treat acne scars and lighten dark spots?

Benzoyl peroxide resurfaces the skin by removing dead skin cells, speeding up the skin cell turnover rate, and gradually bleaching the skin.

Regular exfoliation will cause raised, thickened scars to eventually become flattened.

Depressed scars will become level as the skin is smoothed out after each exfoliation.

Dark spots will gradually become lighter as the over-pigmented skin cells are exfoliated repeatedly and the skin is bleached.

The scars do not worsen because the constant use of benzoyl peroxide also keeps your acne under control, preventing lesions that can lead to scarring.

To learn how to get the best results from Benzoyl Peroxide click here to learn how to use it correctly.

How long does it take to remove acne scars and dark spots?

Treating acne scars and dark spots with benzoyl peroxide is a gradual process and the time will vary depending on how severe the scars are.

Your scars will only start to fade away when you have gotten your acne under control and can prevent them from returning. When using benzoyl peroxide for active acne lesions, it may take 4-6 weeks to start seeing results.

After your acne lesions have gone away and your skin has settled, your scars will then begin to fade with treatment.

It may take months to see a visible difference in your acne scars and dark spots, especially if your scars extend deep into your skin. The deeper they are, the longer it will take.

Did you know you can also use benzoyl peroxide to treat body odor, click here to learn more.

How to use benzoyl peroxide for acne scars and dark spots

Use benzoyl peroxide in a concentration and at a frequency that will not irritate or over-dry your skin.

Choosing the right concentration and deciding how often you should use it will not depend on the scars themselves. Rather, it will depend on how well your skin can tolerate the treatment and how well the treatment will keep your acne away.

When using benzoyl peroxide, most experts recommend that you start with a low concentration (most commonly 2.5% or less) and apply it 1-2 times per week. Gradually, you can increase the frequency and concentration.

When you have been using it daily for an adequate time, you will see the resurfaced difference in your skin. Your mild or moderate acne scars will look different, if not faded.

Remember that this treatment is not specifically for acne scars and dark spots, but the bleaching side effect will help them. Therefore, this treatment will not work as fast as specific bleaching treatments or retinol.

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Should You Use Benzoyl Peroxide To Treat Acne Scars and Dark Spots

If you have mild to moderate scars, and you don’t mind waiting, then you can use benzoyl peroxide to help with your scars.

However, for severe scars, or to see a faster change in your skin, it might be better to seek alternative treatments.

Treatments that are specifically designed to target acne scars and dark spots include microneedling, laser treatment, chemical peels, topical hydroquinone, topical tretinoin, or topical retinoids.

These treatments often cannot be mixed with benzoyl peroxide. They should only be used in the same routine under the guidance of a professional.

Always consult your doctor before using benzoyl peroxide at the same time as other active ingredients or during other treatments.

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Recommended Benzoyl Peroxide Products For Acne Scars & Dark Spots

1- PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide

When applied as a daily acne treatment regimen, it can aid in the prevention of new blemishes from developing. Emollients, combined with the recipe, provide a more moisturizing and gentle effect. Daily use will gently resurface the skin.

Click here to check out the PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash Benzoyl Peroxide on Amazon.

2- Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Treatment

This is a dermatologist-recommended first line of therapy for acne. The 2.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide penetrates deeply into pores in the clinically-proven mix to help eliminate acne-causing bacteria there.

Neutrogena recommends using it in conjunction with their retinol PM formula for stubborn acne scars and marks.

Click here to see the Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Treatment on Amazon.

Sources:

This Is How You Really Get Rid Of Acne Scars

Benzoyl Peroxide For Acne & Acne Scars

Nonprescription acne treatment: Which products work best? – Mayo Clinic